Delhi’s Air Quality Remains Poor in 2025
Delhi has been marked as the city with the worst air quality in India in 2025, recording an alarming average concentration of PM10 at 197 micrograms per cubic meter. This figure is nearly three times the national safety limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter, as highlighted by a recent report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
Throughout the year, Delhi exceeded the PM10 standard on a staggering 285 days, reinforcing concerns over the city’s air pollution crisis.
In terms of smaller particulate matter, Delhi ranked as the second most polluted city for PM2.5, showing an annual average level of 96 micrograms per cubic meter—almost double the national limit of 40 micrograms per cubic meter. The report revealed that the daily PM2.5 standard was breached on 212 days in 2025, posing significant health risks to residents due to prolonged exposure to unhealthy air.
The analysis also noted that air quality levels remained concerning across the National Capital Region (NCR), with 12 out of 14 NCR cities exceeding the PM2.5 standards.
In terms of efforts to improve air quality, CREA reported that Rs 13,415 crore has been allocated under the National Clean Air Programme and Fifteenth Finance Commission grants. Out of this, Rs 9,929 crore, which is 74 percent, has already been used.
Overall, the figures highlight an urgent need for action to tackle air pollution in Delhi and the surrounding areas.
